Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas Informs Five Parishes of Allegations against Three Church Personnel of Sexual Misconduct Involving Minors -- June 24, 2004

The Diocese of Tucson Sexual Misconduct Review Board continues to fulfill its responsibility for the review of all allegations of sexual misconduct that are brought forth against Church personnel within the Diocese.

The Board recently has reviewed information provided by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of Cheyenne concerning two priests who served in the past in the Diocese of Tucson.

This information was related to allegations of sexual misconduct with minors that did not involve the period of time the priests served in the Diocese of Tucson. The Diocese is not aware of any allegations that involve the period of time the priests served in the Diocese.

The Board also recently has reviewed information provided by local law enforcement concerning a deacon of the Diocese of Tucson. This information was related to allegations of sexual misconduct with minors.

When the Diocese received the information about the priests it immediately reported the information to the Pima County Attorney's Office even though the allegations against the priests came from other dioceses and did not relate to their service in the Diocese.

The information about the deacon also was reported to the Pima County Attorney's Office.

Based upon its review of the information, the Board recommended to Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas that he inform the parishes where the priests and deacon had served.

Bishop Kicanas is notifying the parishes by letter of the Board's review.

The letters serve two purposes. The first is to inform parishioners that there is an allegation against someone who ministered at their parish. The second is to encourage any person who may have experienced abuse to come forward so that a report can be made to law enforcement and counseling support can be offered.

The letters identify the priests as Rev. Thomas Warren and Rev. Anthony Jablonowski and the deacon as Deacon Ron DeChant.

Rev. Warren was a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He died in 2001. Rev. Warren was identified by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2004 as having had allegations of sexual misconduct with minors.

His assignments in the Diocese of Tucson were:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Solomon (1984-1989)
Sacred Heart Parish, Parker (1989-1991) 

Rev. Jablonowski is a priest of the Diocese of Steubenville. Rev. Jablonowski was identified by the Diocese of Cheyenne in 2004 as having had allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. He presently is incarcerated in another state.

His assignments in the Diocese of Tucson were:

St. Margaret Mary Parish, Tucson (1993-1994)
St. Theresa Parish, Patagonia (1994-1997)

Deacon DeChant was assigned to St. Francis de Sales Parish in Tucson from 1981 to 1984. He died in 1984. The Diocese learned from local law enforcement that Deacon DeChant had been arrested in 1984 after an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. 

In his letter to the parishes, Bishop Kicanas wrote, "You are well aware of the dilemma the Diocese faces in trying to heal the pain of victims while continuing the mission of the Church. This dilemma has led me to consider the possibility of Chapter 11 as a way to provide a fair response to all victims, even those who have not yet come forward. Obviously, we are becoming aware of additional allegations against persons who have served in the Diocese. This only reinforces the need to find an orderly way for the Diocese to respond justly and equitably to those who have been hurt.

"I urge anyone who has experienced abuse or sexual misconduct by any worker for the Church or for the Diocese of Tucson to make a report to law enforcement and to contact the Victim Assistance Program (800-234-0344) or the Diocese's Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection (520-792-3410). Either office will listen to concerns and offer assistance in dealing with the consequences of the abuse."